Lucy Bennett
Political Reporter
Lucy Bennett is a political reporter for the New Zealand Herald
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.
Check out Lucy’s latest content
Capital Gains Tax: New push to target property owners
Nationwide campaign pushing for CGT is being launched today by Tax Justice Aotearoa NZ.
Ardern to gun owners: Surrender your weapons now, before law changes
Guns and social media in the site of the Government following mosque shootings.
Jacinda Ardern's scorecard: The snag that's delayed Government's progress
Opposition says nothing has happened; Govt says good things take time.
Watch: Protester removed from Waitangi welcome after shouting at MPs
PM tells crowd 'there is still more to do' with helping Māori but work has started.
Getting the nephs off the couch: The plan
Today's announcement is the second big cash pledge from the PGF in as many days
$100m for regional employment scheme
Another day, another large Provincial Growth Fund announcement
Medicinal cannabis bill passes third reading
National calls bill decriminalisation by stealth but it passes third reading.
NZ faces a 'rising tide' of mental distress and addiction
Report charts a new direction for mental health and addiction services.
Regions spared from 'big city' union practices: NZ First
Changes make bill more palatable to business but still areas of concern.
Faster M. bovis recovery for farmers
Government says its eradication attempt is progressing well.
Secondary teachers reject pay offer
The Post Primary Teachers' Association has voted to reject a pay offer.
Don't like our values? 'Go home': Peters weighs in on Respecting NZ Values bill
New Zealand First bill will force refugees and migrants to sign up to NZ values.
Winston Peters reviews the past year in Government
Peters on the 'second longest-surviving political party that has not changed its name'.
Whaitiri staffer bruised in incident, National claims
Māori caucus doesn't have to justify its actions to anyone, Davis says.
PM removes minister Meka Whaitiri after bullying allegations
Ardern said she no longer had confidence in Whaitiri as a minister.
HNZ tenants to be paid back for meth evictions
Housing NZ releases report into its response to meth contamination of state houses.
PM cancels weekend media appearances
Jacinda Ardern says a "diary issue" is behind the cancellation of weekend appearances.
Family violence victims to get more protection
Amendments to bill aim to improve early intervention and risk assessment
More post-quake powers for officials proposed
Minister, territorial authorities and MBIE to have more control during emergencies
Meka Whaitiri absent from Parliament
As Parliament returns after two weeks off, former minister Meka Whaitiri will be absent.
Treasury suggested stopping bowel screening expansion
Advice warned of 'negative outcomes' for patients and reputational damage to Government
Meka Whaitiri stands aside amid investigation into 'staffing matter'
It's understood it is the result of an alleged incident during a heated argument.
Striking won't work, Peters tells teachers
Peters reiterates that not everything can be fixed in one Budget
Synthetic cannabis: Fly spray and grass clippings
Police Minister says engagement with the disaffected and disengaged is needed
Waka-jumping would destroy democracy, Peters says
All of Parliament will be scrutinising the controversial bill, Peters says
Police Minister: Yes, I 'probably' would want cannabis decriminalised
Methamphetamine, not cannabis, is the problem Police Minister says
Another pay claim looms for Govt: Police predict 'torrid' negotiations
Police union expects 'torrid' negotiations in new pay round.
No more money for nurses: Government
Government ministers say the nurses' offer could be re-cut but there will be no more money
New Zealand's health, disability system to be reviewed
Health Minister David Clark is keen for a "fresh" look at the way DHBs operate.
Government to try eradicating cow disease
150,000 + cattle will be culled in a world-first bid to eradicate Mycloplasma bovis.
Nurses, midwives threaten to strike for two days over pay
Nurses say they will strike for two days if latest pay offer not acceptable
DHBs turn over medicines budgets to Pharmac
Pharmac takes over DHB medicines budgets to increase buying power for drugs.
Labour accused of breaking promise to Māori
The Labour Party has been called out over a broken funding promise on Whānau Ora.
Blessed are the cheesemakers
New compliance process eases red tape for small cheese makers
Hipkins: $1.1b needed for school property
National did not invest enough when it was in Government, says minister.